Wavefront generation for ophthalmic applications

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of this invention relate to the generation of wavefronts for measurements, diagnostics, and treatment planning for ophthalmic applications. In some embodiments, a wavefront generator generates light having a uniform wavefront, which is focusable on the retina of an emmetropic eye by the normal function of the emmetropic eye. In some embodiments, the wavefront generator can generate light having a custom wavefront which is not focusable on the retina of the emmetropic eye. In some embodiments, the wavefront generator can receive information relating to an optical aberration of the eye, generate a custom wavefront, and project light having this custom wavefront, which in combination with the optical aberration of the eye is focusable on the retina.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application No.61/792,347 filed on Mar. 15, 2013, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of this invention generally relate to diagnosis andtreatment of ophthalmic conditions, and more particularly to thegeneration of wavefronts for measurements, diagnostics, and treatmentplanning for ophthalmic applications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments regarding the generation of wavefronts for measurements,diagnostics, and treatment planning for ophthalmic applications aredisclosed. Exemplary areas of applicability of the present disclosurewill become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter.It should be understood that the detailed description and specificexamples, while indicating various embodiments, are intended forpurposes of illustration only and are not intended to necessarily limitthe scope of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is described in conjunction with the appendedfigures:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of a visualizationsystem;

FIG. 1A is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of a wavefrontgenerator;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the interaction of eyes with botha traditional display and a custom wavefront generating display;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views of one embodiment of a wavefrontgenerator incorporated into a handheld electronic device;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a wavefront generatorincorporated into a pair of glasses;

FIG. 5 is a side view of one embodiment of wavefront generatorincorporated into a pair of glasses;

FIG. 6 is a side view of one embodiment of a wavefront generatorincorporated into a contact lens;

FIG. 7 is a front view of one embodiment of a wavefront generatorincorporated into the contact lens;

FIG. 8 is a side view of one embodiment of a contact lens incorporatinga wavefront generator that is placed on an eye;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a wavefront generatorincorporated into the display;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a process forprojecting light having a custom wavefront;

FIG. 10A is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a process forreceiving an indication of an optical aberration;

FIG. 10B is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a process forgenerating a custom wavefront;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a detailed embodiment of the processfor projecting light having a custom wavefront;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a process forsimulating a posttreatment condition;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a detailed embodiment of the processfor simulating a posttreatment condition;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a process forselective illumination of a retina;

FIG. 14A is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a process formapping a retina;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a detailed embodiment of the processfor selective illumination of a retina; and

FIG. 16 is a schematic illustration of retinal condition and seen imageresulting from the retinal condition.

In the appended figures, similar components and/or features may have thesame reference label. Where the reference label is used in thespecification, the description is applicable to any one of the similarcomponents having the same reference label. Further, various componentsof the same type may be distinguished by following the reference labelby a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similarcomponents. If only the first reference label is used in thespecification, the description is applicable to any one of the similarcomponents having the same first reference label irrespective of thesecond reference label.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The ensuing description provides preferred exemplary embodiments) only,and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configurationof the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the preferredexemplary embodiment(s) will provide those skilled in the art with anenabling description for implementing a preferred exemplary embodiment.It is understood that various changes may be made in the function andarrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope asset forth in the appended claims.

Wavefronts

A wavefront can be used to describe a wave including, for example, anelectromagnetic wave. A wavefront is the locus of points having the samephase, and can be a line or curve in two dimensions, or surface of awave that is propagating in three dimensions. Wavefront measurements canbe used to evaluate the quality of an optical system and/or to identifyimperfections in an optical system. In some embodiments, thesemeasurements can be performed by a wavefront sensor which is a devicethat can measure wavefront aberration in a coherent signal. AShack-Hartmann system is one embodiment of a wavefront sensor.

With reference now to FIG. 1, a schematic illustration of one embodimentof a visualization system 100 is shown. The visualization system 100includes an eye 102. The eye 102 can be any eye, and can be, forexample, a human eye. The eye 102 includes the cornea 104, the lens 106,the retina 108, and the optic nerve 110.

The visualization system 100 further includes a wavefront generator 112.The wavefront generator 112 can include features configured tomanipulate the wavefront of projected light. In some embodiments, thewavefront generator 112 can generate light having a uniform wavefront,which uniform wavefront is focusable on the retina 108 of an emmetropiceye by the normal function of the emmetropic eye. In some embodiments,the wavefront generator 112 can generate light having a customwavefront, which light having a custom wavefront is not focusable on theretina 108 of the emmetropic eye by the normal function of theemmetropic eye.

In some embodiments, the wavefront generator 112 can receive informationrelating to an optical aberration of the eye 102, generate a customwavefront, and can project light having this custom wavefront, whichlight having a custom wavefront in combination with the opticalaberration of the eye 102 is focusable on the retina 108 of the eye 102.

In one embodiment, the wavefront generator can project light rays, andcan specifically project a plurality of light rays including a firstlight ray 114 and a second light ray 116. As seen in FIG. 1, the lightrays 114, 116 pass through the cornea 104 and the lens 106 and focus onthe retina 108 of the eye 102. In some embodiments, the properties ofthe light rays 114, 116, including the strength and direction of thelight rays 114, 116 can be affected by the wavefront generator 112,which effect can allow the light rays 114, 116 to focus on the retina108 when the generated wavefront corresponds to the optical aberrationof the eye 102.

With reference now to FIG. 1A, a schematic illustration of oneembodiment of the wavefront generator 112 is shown. The wavefrontgenerator 112 includes a processor 130. The processor 130 can provideinstructions to, and receive information from the other components ofthe wavefront generator 112. The processor 130 can act according tostored instructions to control the other components of the wavefrontgenerator 112. The processor 130 can comprise a microprocessor, such asa microprocessor from Intel® or Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.®, or thelike.

The wavefront generator 112 can include an input/output interface 132.The input/output interface 132 communicates information, includingoutputs, to, and receives inputs from a user. The input/output interface132 can include a screen, a speaker, a monitor, a keyboard, amicrophone, a mouse, a touchpad, a keypad, or any other feature orfeatures that can receive inputs from a user and provide information toa user.

The wavefront generator 112 can include a communication engine 134. Thecommunication engine 134 can allow the wavefront generator 112 tocommunicatingly connect with other devices, and can allow the wavefrontgenerator 112 to send and receive information from other devices. Thecommunication engine 134 can include features configured to send andreceive information, including, for example, an antenna, a modem, atransmitter, receiver, or any other feature that can send and receiveinformation. The communication engine 134 can communicate via telephone,cable, fiber-optic, or any other wired communication network. In someembodiments, the communication engine 134 can communicate via cellularnetworks, WLAN networks, or any other wireless network.

The wavefront generator 112 includes a projection engine 136. Theprojection engine 136 can project light having a wavefront that isconfigured to allow the projected light focus on the retina 108 of theeye 102. The projection engine 136 can include features that can projectlight rays and can manipulate the wavefront of the projected light rays.In some embodiments, the projection engine 136 can include a wavefrontdisplay. The wavefront display can comprise any device capable ofprojecting one or several light rays and manipulating and/or controllingthe wavefront of the one or several light rays. In some embodiments, thewavefront display can comprise, for example, a light source. The lightsource can comprise any controllable light generating device. In someembodiments, the wavefront display can comprise a matrix of individuallycontrollable light sources. In one embodiment, for example, this matrixof individually controllable light sources can comprise a matrix ofindividually and independently controllable pixels. In some embodiments,the light source can be configured to project monochromatic light, andin some embodiments, the light source can be configured to projectmultiple colors of light. In some embodiments, for example, these colorscan comprise the colors of any additive color model including, forexample, an RGB model with the colors red, green, and blue.Advantageously, in some embodiments, different wavefront's can begenerated for different colors so as to allow the correction forchromatic aberration.

The wavefront display can further include features configured to allowthe controlled manipulation of the wavefront of the light rays generatedby the light source. In one embodiment, for example, these features cancomprise an array of lenslets, mirrors, or any other light reflecting orrefracting feature that allows manipulation of the wavefront of lightgenerated by the light source. In some embodiments, for example, thelenslets in the lenslet array can comprise fresnel lenses. In onespecific embodiment, the display can comprise a Shack-Hartmann system,and specifically, a reverse Shack-Hartmann system.

The wavefront generator 112 includes a scanning engine 138. In someembodiments, for example, the scanning engine 138 can be configured tocapture a wavefront shape of light that has passed through the user'seye 102, and based on the wavefront shape, calculate the opticalaberration of the eye 102. In some embodiments, the scanning engine 138can be configured to determine information relating to the position ofthe user's eye relative to the wavefront generator 112. In someembodiments, for example, this can include determining the distancebetween the wavefront generator 112 and the user's eye 102 and/or theangle between the wavefront generator 112 and the user's eye 102.

The scanning engine 138 can include features configured to determine theoptical aberration of the user's eye 102. In some embodiments thesefeatures can perform wavefront analysis on the eye 102, and thesefeatures can specifically include a wavefront sensor. In one embodiment,the wavefront sensor can be an optical capture device which can be anydevice including light sensing components and can be, for example, acamera and/or scanner. The wavefront sensor can comprise a plurality ofphotoreceptors which can be, for example, arranged into a matrix ofphotoreceptors. The wavefront sensor can further comprise an array oflenslets, mirrors, and/or any other features capable of reflectingand/or refracting light. In one embodiment, each lenslet and/or mirrorcan be associated with the subset of photoreceptors from the matrix ofphotoreceptors. In some embodiments, for example, this subset ofphotoreceptors associated with each lenslet and/or mirror is constant,and in some embodiments, this subset of photoreceptors associated witheach lenslet and/or mirror can dynamic. In some embodiments, thisassociation can be determined by the lenslet through which lightimpinging on one or several photoreceptors passes. In some embodiments,the number of photoreceptors associated with each lenslet can vary basedon the size of the lenslet, the distance between the lenslet and thephotoreceptor array, and the size of the photoreceptors and/or theresolution of the photoreceptor matrix. The number of photoreceptorsassociated with each lenslet can comprise 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,20, 50, 100, and/or any other or intermediate number of photoreceptors.In one embodiment, for example, the wavefront sensor can comprise aShack-Hartmann system.

The scanning engine 138 can include features configured to determineinformation relating to the position of the user's eye relative to thewavefront generator 112. In some embodiments, for example, thesefeatures can include a sensor such as, for example, an infrared sensorconfigured to detect the eye 102, the distance from the wavefrontgenerator 112 to the eye 102, and the angle of the wavefront generator112 relative to the eye 102, and in some embodiments, relative to thepupil of the eye.

In some embodiments, the scanning engine 138 can determine informationrelating to the position of the user's eye relative to the wavefrontgenerator 112 by generating an image of the user's eye. In someembodiments, a parameter of the image of the user's eye can be measuredand compared to a standard and/or stored parameter of the user's eye. Inone embodiment, for example, this parameter can be the diameter of theiris, including, for example, the horizontal diameter of the iris, thedistance between the pupils of the user's eyes, or the horizontaldiameter of the eye.

The wavefront generator 112 can include memory 140. The memory 140 caninclude stored instructions that, when executed by the processor 130,control the operation of the wavefront generator 112. The details of thememory 140 are discussed at greater length below.

As seen in FIG. 1A, the memory can include one or several databasesincluding, for example, a profile database 142 and a scanning database144.

The profile database 142 can include information relating to a user.This information can include, for example, information identifying theuser, information identifying the optical aberration in one or both ofthe user's eyes, information identifying the custom wavefront generatedfor the user, and/or any other desired information. In some embodiments,the information in the profile database 142 can be provided by the user,and in some embodiments, the information in the profile database 142 canbe generated by components of the wavefront generator 112. Thus, forexample, in some embodiments the information in the profile database canbe received by the input/output interface 132 from the user, can bereceived from other devices by the communication engine 134, can becalculated by the processor 130, and/or can be gathered by the scanningengine 138.

The scanning database 144 can include data relating to opticalaberrations detected by the scanning engine 138. In some embodiments,for example, a user of the wavefront generator 112 may not be associatedwith a profile stored within the profile database 144. In such anembodiment, for example, data relating to an optical aberrationgenerated by the scanning engine 138 can be stored within the scanningdatabase 144. In some embodiments, this information can be used untilthe user requests the generation of new optical aberration data, atwhich point the new optical aberration data can be added to the scanningdatabase 144 and can replace the old optical aberration data stored inthe scanning database 144, or can be additionally stored with the oldoptical aberration data.

With reference now to FIG. 2, a schematic illustration of theinteraction of eyes with both a traditional display and a customwavefront generating display is shown. FIG. 2 depicts a first instance200-A having an emmetropic eye 202-A having a lens 204-A. The firstinstance 200-A further depicts a traditional display 206-A that isgenerating a plurality of light rays including light rays 208-A whichenter into the eye 202-A. As seen in the first instance 200-A, the lightrays 208-A enter the eye 202-A and are focused by the cornea and thelens 204-A onto the retina 210-A.

FIG. 2 depicts a second instance 200-B having a non-emmetropic eye 202-Bwith a lens 204-B. The second instance 200-B further depicts atraditional display 206-B that is generating a plurality of light rays,including light rays 208-B which enter into the eye 202-B. As seen inthe second instance 200-B, the light rays 208-B enter the eye 202-B andare focused by the cornea and the lens 204-B, but do not focus on theretina 210-B, but rather, come to a focus behind the retina 210-B.

As is apparent in comparing the first instance 200-A with the secondinstance 200-B, the plurality of light rays generated by the traditionaldisplay 206-A, 206-B are the same for both the emmetropic eye 202-A andthe non-emmetropic eye 202-B.

FIG. 2 depicts a third instance 220-A having a emmetropic eye 222-A witha lens 224-A. The third instance 220-A further depicts a wavefrontdisplay 226-A that is generating a plurality of light rays, includinglight rays 228-A which enter into emmetropic eye 222-A. As seen in thethird instance 220-A, the light rays enter the eye 222-A and are focusedby the cornea and lens 224-A onto the retina 230-A.

FIG. 2 depicts a fourth instance 220-B having a non-emmetropic eye 222-Bwith a lens 224-B. The fourth instance 220-B further depicts a wavefrontdisplay 226-B that is generating a plurality of light rays, includinglight rays 228-B which enter into eye 222-B. As seen in the fourthinstance 220-B, the light rays 228-B enter the eye 222-B and are focusedby the cornea and lens 224-B onto the retina 230-B.

As is apparent in comparing the third instance 220-A with the fourthinstance 220-B, the plurality of light rays generated by the wavefrontdisplay 226-A for the emmetropic eye 222-A are different from theplurality of light rays generated by the wavefront display 226-B for thenon-emmetropic eye 222-B. As discussed above, in some embodiments, thewavefront display 226-A, 226-B can generate a custom wavefront thatmatches the optical aberration of the user's eye such that when thelight having the custom wavefront passes through the eye having thecorresponding optical aberration, the light focuses on the retina.

With reference now to FIG. 3A, a perspective view of one embodiment of ahandheld electronic device 300 incorporating the wavefront generator 112is shown. The handheld electronic device 300 can be any mobile device.In some embodiments, the handheld electronic device 300 can comprise acell phone, a tablet, a laptop, a navigation system, smart phone, or anyother desired mobile device. In some embodiments, the handheldelectronic device 300 can include a top 302, a bottom 304, and the front306. In some embodiments, the front of the handheld electronic device300 can include a display 308 which can include, for example, a wavefront display. In some embodiments, the display 308 can be a componentof the earlier discussed projection engine 136.

The handheld electronic device 300 can, in some embodiments, furtherinclude a ranging sensor 310. In some embodiments, the ranging sensor310 can comprise an infrared sensor, and can be configured to measureand/or ascertain the distance between the user's eye and the wavefrontdisplay 308 of the handheld electronic device 300, and/or in someembodiments, the ranging sensor 310 can be configured to measure and/orascertain the angle between the user's eye and the wavefront display 308of the handheld electronic device 300.

With reference now to FIG. 3B, a perspective view of the handheldelectronic device 300 is shown. As seen in FIG. 3B, the handheldelectronic device includes the top 302, the bottom 304, and the back312. In some embodiments, for example, the back 312 of the handheldelectronic device can include an optical capture device 314 which can beany device including light sensing components and can be, for example, acamera and/or scanner. The optical capture device 314 can be a componentof the scanning engine 138, and can include a wavefront sensor. In someembodiments, for example, the optical capture device 314 can beconfigured to measure and/or analyze a wavefront as it passes, and/orafter it passes through the eye 102 to thereby measure any opticalaberration existing in the eye 102. In some embodiments, for example,the wavefront sensor can include a Shack-Hartmann system. In someembodiments, the optical capture device 314 can include a sensorconfigured to detect the position of the eye 102 relative to thehandheld electronic device 300.

With reference now to FIG. 4, a perspective view of one embodiment of awavefront generator 112 incorporated into a pair of glasses 400 isshown. The glasses 400 include lenses 402, which lenses 402 areconnected with the wavefront generator 112. The lenses 402 are connectedby a bridge 400 for, and connect, via two temples 406, to earpieces 408.In some embodiments, the lenses 402 can be substantially planar lensesas depicted in FIG. 4, and in some embodiments, the lenses 402 cancomprise curved lenses 42. In some embodiments, the lenses 402 can becurved so as to wrap around the users eye and allow imaging onto alarger portion of the retina. In some embodiments, these curved lenses402 can be created using, for example, a flexible display and bysituating the lenslet array on a curved surface. In some embodiments,the distance between the curved lenslet array and the curved lightsource surface can be, for example, 1× the focal length of the lensletforming the lenslet array.

A side view of the glasses 400 is shown in FIG. 5. As seen in FIG. 5,the lens 402 of the glasses 400 can be positioned directly in front of,and in the line of sight of an eye 502. In this configuration, lightgenerated by the wavefront generator 112 connected to the lens 402 canpass to the eye 502 and focus on the retina of the eye 502. As also seenin FIG. 5, the glasses 400 can be held in place in front of the eye viathe earpiece 408 which can be positioned behind the ear 504 of the user.

In some embodiments, the wavefront generator 112 can cover all of thefield of view of the eye, or a portion of the field of view of the. Insome embodiments, for example, the wavefront generator 112 can belocated in a peripheral region of the user's field of view. This canadvantageously need the central vision of the user unrestricted whileallowing the wavefront generator 112 to provide images to the user thataugment the objects that the user is viewing. In some embodiments, thisaugmentation can include increasing the contrast of perceived images,recognizing the contours of images and adding these contours to the realimage on the retina, and/or retrieving any other information relating tothe real image and providing that to the retina. In some embodiments,for example, the wavefront generator can be located in a peripheralportion of one or both of the lenses 402 of the glasses 400.

In some embodiments, the wavefront generator 112 can be configured toallow near vision as well as far vision. In some embodiments, forexample, the wavefront generator 112 can be configured to determine theviewing distance and to adjust the wavefront accordingly, and in someembodiments the wavefront generator 112 can be configured to receive aninput from the user identifying the desired viewing distance. In someembodiments, for example, glasses 400 including such wavefront generator112 can be used to replace traditional corrective optics such as, forexample reading glasses and/or bifocals.

As seen in FIG. 5, in some embodiments, the glasses 400 can include acamera and/or magnifying device 506. In some embodiments, for example,the camera and/or magnifying device 506 can include features configuredto gather image data in the direction perpendicular to the lenses, whichdirection is indicated in FIG. 5 by arrow 508. In some embodiments, forexample, the image data collected by the camera and/or magnifying device506 can be displayed via the wavefront generator 112 to the user. Insome embodiments, for example, the user can control the level ofmagnification of the camera and/or magnifying device 506 to therebyprovide the user with assumed in views of the gathered image data.

With reference now to FIG. 6, a perspective view of one embodiment of acontact lens system 600 is shown, which contact lens system 600 caninclude, for example, an intraocular lens system. The contact lenssystem 600 can comprise a convex lens 602 having a front 604 and a back606. In some embodiments, the convex lens 602 can house some or all ofthe components of the wavefront generator 112. In some embodiments, someor all of the components of the wavefront generator 112 can be embeddedin the convex lens 602 between the front 604 and the back 606. In onespecific embodiment, the back 606 of the convex lens 602 can comprise aprotective coating over the components of the wavefront generator 112.This protective coating can be biocompatible to allow the convex lens602 to be placed on an eye.

In some embodiments, for example, the contact lens system 600 can beconfigured so that the distance “x1” between the light source surfaceand the principal plane of the lenslet, and the distance “x2” betweenlenslet principal plane and the retina is governed by the followingformula:

${\frac{1}{x\; 1} + \frac{1}{x\; 2}} = \frac{1}{f}$

wherein “f” as the focal point resulting in sharp image forming on theretina.

With reference now to FIG. 7, a front view of one embodiment of thecontact lens system 600 is shown. As seen in FIG. 7, the contact lenssystem 600 has a convex lens 602 with the front 604. As further seen inFIG. 7, in some embodiments, the convex lens 602 can comprise a centralportion 700 and the boundary portion 702 radially surrounding thecentral portion 700 of the convex lens 602 when viewed from the front.In some embodiments, the different portions 700, 702 of the convex lens602 can contain different components of the wavefront generator 112. Inthe embodiment depicted in FIG. 7, the central portion 700 of the convexlens 602 can include, for example, the projection engine 136 and/or thescanning engine 138, and the boundary portion 702 can include, forexample, the processor 130, the communication engine 134, memory 140, anantenna, and components configured to power the wavefront generator 112such as, for example, an antenna for receiving radio energy, a solarcell, inductive coils, or any other desired power source.Advantageously, the positioning of the scanning and projection engines136, 138 in the central portion 700 of the convex lens 602 canfacilitate positioning of those components in front of the pupil of theeye 102 which can increase the effectiveness of the contact lens system600. Further, the placement of the components of the wavefront generator112 in different portions 700, 702 of the convex lens 602 can allow theminimization of the distance between the front 604 and the back 606 ofthe convex lens 602, and thereby limit the thickness of the convex lens602 and increase user comfort and using the contact lens system 600.

With reference now to FIG. 8, one embodiment of a visualization system100 is shown. In this embodiment of the visualization system 100, thewavefront generator 112 is located within the convex lens 602 of thecontact lens system 600. As further seen in FIG. 8, the contact lenssystem 600 is positioned on cornea 104 of the eye 102 so as to allowlight rays generated by the wavefront generator 112 to pass through thepupil 800 of the eye 102 and impinge on the retina 108.

With reference now to FIG. 9, one embodiment of a display system 900incorporating some or all of the components of the wavefront generator112 is shown. The display system 900 can be used to view images and cancomprise, for example, a television, a computer screen and/or monitor,or any non-held electronic device used to view images. The displaysystem 900 can include a display 902 which can include, for example, awavefront display. In some embodiments, the display 902 can be acomponent of the earlier discussed projection engine 136.

As further seen in FIG. 9, the display system 900 can include an opticalcapture device 904 which can be any device including light sensingcomponents and can be, for example, a camera and/or scanner. The opticalcapture device 904 can be a component of the scanning engine 138, andcan include a wavefront sensor. In some embodiments, for example, theoptical capture device 904 can be configured to measure and/or analyze awavefront as it and/or after it passes through the eye 102 to therebymeasure any optical aberration existing in the eye 102. In someembodiments, for example, the wavefront sensor can include aShack-Hartmann system.

With reference now to FIG. 10, a flowchart illustrating one embodimentof a process 1000 for projecting light having a customized wavefront isshown. As discussed above, in some embodiments, this process 1000 can beused to generate light having a custom wavefront corresponding to theoptical aberration of a user's eye. This correspondence between thecustom wavefront and the optical aberration of the user's eye allowslight having the custom wavefront to focus on the retina of the user'seye, and thereby allow the user to clearly see the projected light.

The process begins at block 1002 wherein an indication of the opticalaberration is received. In some embodiments, the indication of theoptical aberration can include optical aberration data that identifiesthe optical aberration of the user's eye. In some embodiments, forexample, the indication the optical aberration can be received from acomponent of the wavefront generator 112 including, for example, theinput/output interface 132, the communication engine 134, the scanningengine 138, and/or the memory including the profile database 142 and/orthe scanning database 144. In some embodiments, components of thewavefront generator 112 can receive the indication of the opticalaberration from a source outside of the wavefront generator 112including, for example, from the user via the input/output interface132, from a source of medical records such as, for example, from amedical service provider via the communication engine 134, or from anyother source possessing optical aberration data for the user.

After the indication of the optical aberration is received, the process1000 proceeds to block 1004 wherein the custom wavefront is generated.In the context of the present application, the custom wavefront includesthe data describing a desired wavefront and can include, for example,dimensions. In some embodiments, the custom wavefront corresponds to theindication of the optical aberration in that light having the customwavefront and passing through the eye with that optical aberrationfocuses on the retina of the eye. In some embodiments, for example, thecustom wavefront can be generated by a component of the wavefrontgenerator 112 including, for example, the processor 130 and/or theprojection engine 136. In some embodiments, for example, the customwavefront can be retrieved from a component of the wavefront generator112 including the input/output interface 132, the communication engine134, and/or the memory 140 including the profile database 142 and/or thescanning database 144. In some embodiments, for example, the customwavefront can be received input into the input/output interface 132 bythe user and/or the custom wavefront can be received from another sourceincluding, for example, a computer configured to generate and/or storethe custom wavefront via the communication engine 134.

After the custom waveform is generated, the process 1000 proceeds toblock 1006 wherein light having the custom wavefront is projected. Insome embodiments, for example, the projecting of light having the customwavefront comprises manipulating the wavefront of the light so that thewavefront of the light matches the generated custom wavefront. In someembodiments, this can be performed by the projection engine 136 and/or acomponent of the projection engine 136 such as the wavefront display.

In some embodiments, for example, the projected light having anonuniform wavefront can comprise data that is imaged on the retina.This image data can comprise an image that can, in some embodiments,include one or several text strings, video images, or any other desiredimage. In some embodiments, this image data can comprise a raster imagecreated from a plurality of pixels and/or dots. In embodiments in whichthe image data comprises a raster image, a generator 112 can image eachof the pixels and/or dots onto a region of the retina. The imaging ofeach of the pixels and/or dots onto a region of the retina can becontrolled so that the aggregate of imaged tunes and/or dots forms theimage on the retina. In embodiments in which video images are imaged onthe retina, each of the pixels and/or thoughts that are imaged onto theretina can be refreshed as they change. In some embodiments, forexample, the video images can be generated by a camera, and in someembodiments, the video images can be linked to virtual reality system.Advantageously, in some embodiments in which the video images aregenerated by a camera associated with the wavefront generator 112, thewavefront generator 112 can allow the user to see images generated bylight in the nonvisible spectrum. This can be achieved when the cameraassociated with the wavefront generator 112 detects nonvisible light,and then converts that nonvisible light visible light which is imaged bythe projection engine 136. In some embodiments, this can advantageouslyallow the user to see infrared light, and can thereby provide a nightvision capability.

In some embodiments, the image can be projected onto all of the retinaor a portion of the retina. In some embodiments, for example, the imagecan fill of patient's and/or user's field of view, and/or a portion of apatient's and/or user's field of view including, for example,approximately 20 percent of the patient's and/or user's field of view,approximately 30 percent of the patient's and/or user's field of view,approximately 50 percent of the patient's and/or user's field of view,approximately 75 percent of the patient's and/or user's field of view,approximately 90 percent of the patient's and/or user's field of view,and/or any other or intermediate percent of the patient's and/or user'sfield of view.

With reference now to FIG. 10A, a flowchart illustrating a process 1020for receiving an indication of an optical aberration is shown. In someembodiments, the process 1020 can be performed as a sub-process of block1002 of FIG. 10. Process 1020 can be performed by the wavefrontgenerator 112 and/or by one or several components of the wavefrontgenerator 112 including, for example, the processor 130.

The process 1020 begins, in block 1022 wherein the scanner ispositioned. In some embodiments, a scanner can comprise a component ofthe scanning engine 138 and specifically a component of the wavefrontsensor of the scanning engine 138. In some embodiments, for example, thescanner can be positioned in front of one or both of the user's eyes102, and in some embodiments, the scanner may be temporarily mounted tothe user's head such as when the scanners are incorporated into a pairof glasses and/or into a headpiece.

After the scanner has been position, the process 1020 proceeds to block1024 wherein a coherent beam of light is projected onto the retina ofthe user's eye. In some embodiments, the coherent beam of light can beconfigured so as not to temporarily and/or permanently damage theretina, but rather to reflect a portion of the coherent beam of light toallow the evaluation of the optical aberration of the eye. In someembodiments, for example, the coherent beam of light can comprise alaser.

In one embodiment, for example, in which the scanner comprises a matrixof photoreceptors and/or sensors, the laser can be projected from acenter point of the matrix of photoreceptors and/or sensors. In someembodiments, for example, the laser can be projected from the center ofa subset of the photoreceptors and/or sensors such as, for example, fromthe center the subset of photoreceptors and/or sensors associated with asingle lenslet and/or mirror.

After the coherent beam of light is projected onto a portion of theretina, the process 1020 proceeds to block 1026 wherein the lightreflected back off the retina is captured by one or several of thephotoreceptors and/or sensors in the matrix of photoreceptors and/orsensors. After the reflected light is captured, the process 1020proceeds to block 1028 wherein the one or several photoreceptors and/orsensors activated by the reflected light are identified. In someembodiments, for example, this can include identifying the positionwithin the matrix of photoreceptors and/or sensors of the activatedphotoreceptors and/or sensors. In some embodiments, for example, thisidentification can be made according to the column/row position of eachof the photoreceptors and/or sensors that are activated by the reflectedlight in the matrix of photoreceptors and/or sensors, and in someembodiments, for example, this identification can be made according tothe column/row position of the lenslet and/or mirror having anassociated and activated photoreceptors and/or sensor, and an identifierof the position of the activated photoreceptor and/or sensor within thegroup of photoreceptors and/or sensors associated with the lensletand/or mirror.

After the photoreceptor and/or sensor activated by the reflected lightis identified, the process 1020 proceeds to block 1030 wherein thelocation of the portion of the retina onto which the coherent beam oflight was shown is identified and stored in association with thelocation of the photoreceptors and/or sensors that were activated by thereflection of the coherent beam of light off of that portion of theretina. In some embodiments, this can include storing the relationshipbetween the retina portion illuminated by the coherent beam of light inthe sensor position of sensors activated by the reflection of thatcoherent beam of light.

After the retina portion/sensor position relationship has been stored,the process 1020 proceeds to decision state and 32 wherein it isdetermined if there are any remaining un-scanned portions of the retina.In some embodiments, for example, this can include determining whetherthe above recited steps have been performed for portions covering theentire area of the retina. If it is determined that there is anun-scanned retina portion, the process 1020 returns to block 1024wherein the coherent beam of light is projected onto an un-scannedportion of the retina. If it is determined at decision state 1032 thatthere are no un-scanned retina portions, then the process 1020 proceedsto block 1034 and returns to block 1004 of FIG. 10.

With reference now to FIG. 10B, a flowchart illustrating a process 1050for generating a custom wavefront is shown. In some embodiments, theprocess 1050 can be performed as a sub-process of block 1004 of FIG. 10.Process 1050 can be performed by the wavefront generator 112 and/or byone or several components of the wavefront generator 112 including, forexample, the processor 130.

The process 1050 begins at block 1052 wherein aberration dimensions arecalculated. In some embodiments, for example, this can includeretrieving information stored in block 1030 of FIG. 10A. In someembodiments, this can include receiving an indication of an aberrationin the user's eye 102 such as, for example, spherical power error,cylinder power error, spherical aberration the cornea, axial length, orany other refractive error requiring correction. This information canthen be used to calculate Zernike coefficients describing theaberration.

After the aberration dimensions have been calculated, the process 1050proceeds to block 1054 wherein the matrix/retina position relationshipis calculated. In some embodiments, for example, in which the retinaportion/sensor position relationship was stored in block 1030 of FIG.10A, the process 1050 can proceed from block 1052 to block 1056. If thisinformation was not stored in block 1030 of FIG. 10A, then theaberration dimensions calculated in block 1052 can be used to calculatethe matrix/retina position relationship. In some embodiments, forexample, Zernike coefficients can be used calculate, and therebyidentify the correspondence between a position in the matrix ofphotoreceptors and/or sensors and/or a position in the matrix ofindividually controllable light sources and portions of the retina. Thiscalculation can be performed by ray tracing in which a model of the eyeis created based on retrieved biometric data about the eye, and theimpingement of a ray on the matrix of photoreceptors and/or lightsources is calculated for each point on the retina. In some embodimentsin which the matrix is divided into subsets associated with a lensletand/or mirror, this ray tracing can involve determining the position ofthe impingement of the central ray on the photoreceptors and/or lightsources associated with each lenslet and/or mirror.

After the matrix/retina position relationship has been calculated, theprocess 1050 proceeds to block 1056 wherein the image data is acquired.In some embodiments, for example, this can include receiving image datawith the communications engine 134. In some embodiments, for example, inwhich the wavefront generator 112 is associated with a camera, this caninclude receiving image data from the camera. In some embodiments, forexample, the acquired image can comprise a complex image, including, forexample, video images, and in some embodiments, this image can comprisea first image for imaging in the patient's and/or user's first eye and asecond image for imaging in the patient's and/or user's second eye.Advantageously the imaging of the first image in the user's first eyeand the imaging of the second image in the user's second eye can createa stereoscopic 3-D effect.

The image can comprise a variety of different data. In some embodiments,for example, the image can provide data relating to the user surroundingand can be, for example, generated by a camera associated with thewavefront generator 112. In some embodiments, for example, the image canprovide data received from a data source such as, for example, anelectronic device including a handheld electronic device such as a smartphone, tablet, a computer, and in some embodiments, the image canprovide data relating to the user such as, for example, data relating tothe users help including, for example, the user's blood pressure, heartrate, blood oxygenation level, blood sugar level, temperature, insulinlevel or cholesterol level.

In some embodiments, acquiring the image data can further compriseconverting the image data to a format compatible with the wavefrontgenerator 112. In some embodiments in which the wavefront generator 112projects a matrix of dots onto the retina of the patient's eye,converting the image data to a format compatible with wavefrontgenerator 112 can include the rasterization of the image data. In someembodiments, the rasterization of the image data can result in thecreation of raster format image data which can be defined, for example,by a group of pixels and/or dots. In some embodiments, the wavefrontgenerator can be configured to image these dots onto the retina, and insome embodiments, the way front generator 112 can be configured toindependently image these dots onto the retina.

The size of the pixels and/or dots of the raster format image data canbe varied to provide a desired resolution of the image on the retina. Insome embodiments, the size of the pixels and/or dots the raster formatimage data can be based on the imaging capabilities of the wavefrontgenerator 112.

After the image data has been acquired, the process 1050 proceeds toblock 1058 wherein the image is mapped onto the retina via thematrix/retina relationship. In some embodiments, for example, this caninclude identifying portions of the matrix that can be used to createthe image on the retina. This can include retrieving calculatedmatrix/retina position relationship and there with identifying portionsof the matrix to operate to thereby create the image on the retina.

After the image has been mapped to the retina via the matrix/retinarelationship, the process 1050 proceeds to block 1060 and proceeds toblock 1006 of FIG. 10.

With reference now to FIG. 11 a flowchart illustrating a detailedembodiment of a process 1100 for projecting light having a customwavefront is shown. As discussed above, in some embodiments, thisprocess 1000 can be used to generate light having a custom wavefrontcorresponding to the optical aberration of a user's eye. Thiscorrespondence between the custom wavefront and the optical aberrationof the user's eye allows light having the custom wavefront to focus onthe retina of the user's eye, and thereby allow the user to clearly seethe projected light.

The process 1100 begins at block 1102 wherein a request for generationof a custom wavefront is received. In some embodiments, for example, inwhich custom wavefront generation is performed when requested by a user,the request for the generation of the custom wavefront can be receivedfrom the user via the input/output interface 132. In some embodiments,for example, in which custom wavefront generation is automaticallyperformed when the user is detected, the request for the generation ofthe custom wavefront can be received from the processor 130 in responseto the processor 130 receiving an indication of a user interaction withthe wavefront generator 112. In some embodiments, for example, thisindication of the user interaction can include detecting userinteraction with the input/output interface 132 and/or detecting thepresence of the user proximate to the wavefront generator 112 by, forexample, scanning engine 138.

After the request for generation of the custom wavefront has beenreceived, the process 1100 proceeds to block 1104 wherein opticalaberration information is requested. In some embodiments, for example,the request for optical aberration information can be made by theprocessor 130 and/or other component of the wavefront generator 112 andcan include providing a query to the user via the input/output interface132 for known aberration information, providing a query to the user viathe input output interface 132 for sources that possess and/or maypossess aberration information including, for example, a medical serviceprovider, querying an identified source for aberration information viathe communication engine 134, and/or querying a portion of the memory140 including, for example, the profile database 142 and/or the scanningdatabase 144 for stored aberration information.

After the optical aberration information has been requested, the process1100 proceeds to decision state 1106 wherein is determined if theaberration information is known. In some embodiments this determinationcan be made by the wavefront generator 112 and/or a component of thewavefront generator 112 including, for example, the processor. Thisdetermination can include the evaluation of data received in response toqueries provided in block 1104.

If it is determined that aberration information is unknown, the process1100 proceeds to decision state 1108 wherein it is determined ifaberration information should be collected. In some embodiments, forexample, the determination of whether aberration information should becollected can include determining whether aberration information can becollected by either the wavefront generator 112 for another source, anddetermining whether the user wants to have the aberration informationcollected. The aberration information should not be collected, then theprocess 1100 terminates.

If the aberration information should be collected, then the process 1100proceeds to block 1110 wherein the user's eye is scanned. In someembodiments, for example, the user's eye can be scanned by the wavefrontgenerator 112, and specifically by components of the wavefront generatorsuch as, for example, the scanning engine 138. In some embodiments, forexample, the user's eye can be scanned by a source such as a medicalservice provider.

After the user's eye has been scanned, the process 1100 proceeds toblock 1112 wherein aberration information is collected. In someembodiments, for example, the collection of the aberration informationcan include the processing and/or analyzing of the data generated by thescan of the user's eye to convert the scanned data into aberrationinformation.

Returning again to decision state 1106, if it is determined thataberration information is known, the process 1100 proceeds to block 1114wherein the aberration information is received. In some embodiments, forexample, the aberration information can be received by the wavefrontgenerator 112 from the user, from the source, and/or from the memory140. In some embodiments, for example, the aberration information can bereceived by components of the wavefront generator including, forexample, the processor 130, the input output interface 132, and/or thecommunication engine 134.

After the aberration information has been received, or, returning toblock 1112 after the aberration information has been collected, theprocess 1100 proceeds to block 1116 wherein the distance to the user eyeis determined. In some embodiments, for example, the distance to theuser eye can affect the custom wavefront that will, in combination withthe optical aberration of the user's eye, focus projected light on theretina of the user's eye. The determination of the distance to theuser's eye can be performed by a component of the scanning engine 138,including, for example, a sensor configured to determine the distancebetween the wavefront generator 112 and the user's eye.

After the distance of the user's eye has been determined, the process1100 proceeds to block 1118 wherein the angle to the user's eye isdetermined. In some embodiments, for example, the angle of the wavefrontgenerator 112 relative to the user's eye can affect the custom wavefrontthat in combination with the optical aberration of the user's eye,focuses projected light on the retina of the user's eye. Thedetermination of the angle of the wavefront generator 112 relative tothe user's eye can be performed by a component of the scanning engine138 including, for example, a sensor configured to determine the anglebetween the wavefront generator 112 and the user's eye.

After the angle to the user's eye is determined, the process 1100proceeds to block 1120 wherein the custom wavefront is generated. Insome embodiments, the custom wavefront corresponds to optical aberrationinformation, the distance to the user eye, and the angle to the user eyein that light having the custom wavefront and passing through the eyewith that optical aberration and at the determined distance and anglefocuses on the retina of the eye. In some embodiments, for example, thecustom wavefront can be generated by a component of the wavefrontgenerator 112 including, for example, the processor 130 and/or theprojection engine 136. In some embodiments, for example, the customwavefront can be retrieved from a component of the wavefront generator112 including the input/output interface 132, the communication engine134, and/or the memory 140 including the profile database 142 and/or thescanning database 144. In some embodiments, for example, the customwavefront can be received input into the input/output interface 132 bythe user and/or the custom wavefront can be received from another sourceincluding, for example, a computer configured to generate and/or storethe custom wavefront via the communication engine 134.

In some embodiments, the steps depicted in blocks 1116 and 1118 caninclude using the scanning engine 138, and/or portions of the scanningengine 138 as a tracking system to determine the location of the centralportion of the cornea and pupil and to detect the optical axis of thepatient's and/or user's eye. In some embodiments, this informationrelating to the location of the central portion of the cornea and thepupil, and the optical axis of the patient's and/or users I can be usedto optimize the custom wavefront.

After the custom waveform is generated, the process 1100 proceeds toblock 1122 wherein light having the custom wavefront is projected. Insome embodiments, for example, the projecting of light having the customwavefront comprises manipulating the wavefront of the light so that thewavefront of the light matches the generated custom wavefront. In someembodiments, this can be performed by the projection engine 136 and/or acomponent of the projection engine 136 such as the wavefront display.

With reference now to FIG. 12, a flowchart illustrating one embodimentof a process 1200 for simulating a posttreatment condition is shown. Insome embodiments, for example, a treatment procedure can be recommendedto a patient, which treatment procedure may result in the improvement ofa condition. However, treatment procedures are frequently accompaniedwith costs and/or risks. As such, a patient and his doctor are requiredto determine whether to proceed with a treatment procedure in light ofthe costs and/or risks, but this decision can be complicated by thepatient not understanding the desired and/or expected outcome of thetreatment procedure. In light of this, the simulation of theposttreatment condition to allow the patient to experience the desiredand/or expected results of the treatment procedure before undergoing thetreatment procedure can be desirable.

The process 1200 can be performed by the wavefront generator 112, acomponent of the wavefront generator, and/or a system including thewavefront generator 112. The process begins at block 1202 whereinoptical aberration information is received. In some embodiments, forexample, the aberration information can be received by the wavefrontgenerator 112 from the user, from the source, and/or from the memory140. In some embodiments, for example, the aberration information can bereceived by components of the wavefront generator including, forexample, the processor 130, the input output interface 132, and/or thecommunication engine 134.

After the optical aberration information has been received, the process1200 proceeds to block 1204 wherein the corrected information isreceived. In some embodiments, for example, the corrected informationcan be data identifying the desired and/or expected opticalcharacteristics including, for example, the refractive characteristicsof the user's eye after the treatment procedure is performed. In someembodiments, for example, this information can be generated by componentof the wavefront generator 112 including, for example, the processor130. In some embodiments, for example, this information can be generatedby a component and/or system other than the wavefront generator 112 suchas, for example, a computer of a medical service provider, and can beprovided to the wavefront generator 112 via the communication engine134.

After the corrected information is received, the process 1200 proceedsto block 1206 wherein the custom wavefront is generated. In someembodiments, the custom wavefront corresponds to optical aberrationinformation in that light having the custom wavefront and passingthrough the eye with that optical aberration focuses on the retina ofthe eye to the same extent that light having a uniform wavefront isexpected and/or desired to focus on the retina of the eye after thetreatment procedure. In some embodiments, for example, the customwavefront can be generated by a component of the wavefront generator 112including, for example, the processor 130 and/or the projection engine136. In some embodiments, for example, the custom wavefront can beretrieved from a component of the wavefront generator 112 including theinput/output interface 132, the communication engine 134, and/or thememory 140 including the profile database 142 and/or the scanningdatabase 144. In some embodiments, for example, the custom wavefront canbe received input into the input/output interface 132 by the user and/orthe custom wavefront can be received from another source including, forexample, a computer configured to generate and/or store the customwavefront via the communication engine 134.

After the custom wavefront is generated, the process 1200 proceeds toblock 1208 wherein light having the custom wavefront is projected. Insome embodiments, for example, the projecting of light having the customwavefront comprises manipulating the wavefront of the light so that thewavefront of the light matches the generated custom wavefront. In someembodiments, this can be performed by the projection engine 136 and/or acomponent of the projection engine 136 such as the wavefront display. Insome embodiments, for example, this like can be projected onto theuser's eye, and can focus on the retina of the user's eye.

With reference now to FIG. 13, a flowchart illustrating a detailedembodiment of a process 1300 for simulating a posttreatment condition isshown. The process 1300 can be performed by the wavefront generator 112,component of the wavefront generator 112, and/or by a system includingthe wavefront generator 112. The process 1300 begins at block 1302wherein the request for benefit simulation is received. In someembodiments, for example, the request for benefit simulation can bereceived from the user via the input/output interface 132.

After the request for benefit simulation has been received, the process1300 proceeds to block 1304 wherein optical aberration information isrequested. In some embodiments, for example, the request for opticalaberration information can be made by the processor 130 and/or othercomponent of the wavefront generator 112 or system including thewavefront generator 112 and can include providing a query to the uservia the input/output interface 132 for known aberration information,providing a query to the user via the input output interface 132 forsources that possess and/or may possess aberration informationincluding, for example, a medical service provider, querying andidentified source for aberration information via the communicationengine 134, and/or querying a portion of the memory 140 including, forexample, the profile database 142 and/or the scanning database 144 forstored aberration information.

After the optical aberration information has been requested, the process1300 proceeds to decision state 1306 wherein is determined if theaberration information is known. In some embodiments this determinationcan be made by the wavefront generator 112 and/or a component of thewavefront generator 112 including, for example, the processor. Thisdetermination can include the evaluation of data received in response toqueries provided in block 1304.

If it is determined that aberration information is unknown, the process1300 proceeds to decision state 1308 wherein it is determined ifaberration information should be collected. In some embodiments, forexample, the determination of whether aberration information should becollected can include determining whether aberration information can becollected by either the wavefront generator 112 or another source, anddetermining whether the user wants to have the aberration informationcollected. The aberration information should not be collected, then theprocess 1300 terminates.

If the aberration information should be collected, then the process 1300proceeds to block 1310 wherein the user's eye is scanned. In someembodiments, for example, the user's eye can be scanned by the wavefrontgenerator 112, and specifically by components of the wavefront generatorsuch as, for example, the scanning engine 138. In some embodiments, forexample, the user's eye can be scanned by a source such as a medicalservice provider.

After the user's eye has been scanned, the process 1300 proceeds toblock 1312 wherein aberration information is collected. In someembodiments, for example, the collection of the aberration informationcan include the processing and/or analyzing of the data generated by thescan of the user's eye to convert the scanned data into aberrationinformation.

Returning again to decision state 1306, if it is determined thataberration information is known, the process 1300 proceeds to block 1314wherein the aberration information is received. In some embodiments, forexample, the aberration information can be received by the wavefrontgenerator 112 from the user, from the source, and/or from the memory140. In some embodiments, for example, the aberration information can bereceived by components of the wavefront generator including, forexample, the processor 130, the input output interface 132, and/or thecommunication engine 134.

After the aberration information has been received, or, returning toblock 1312 after the aberration information has been collected, theprocess 1300 proceeds to block 1316 wherein the corrected information isrequested. In some embodiments, for example, the corrected informationcan be data identifying the desired and/or expected opticalcharacteristics including, for example, the refractive characteristicsof the user's eye after the treatment procedure is performed. Therequest for the on can be made by the processor 130 and/or othercomponent of the wavefront generator 112 or system including thewavefront generator 112 and can include providing a query to the uservia the input/output interface 132 for known corrected information,providing a query to the user via the input output interface 132 forsources that possess and/or may possess corrected information including,for example, a medical service provider, querying and identified sourcefor corrected information via the communication engine 134, and/orquerying a portion of the memory 140 including, for example, the profiledatabase 142 and/or the scanning database 144 for stored correctedinformation.

After the corrected information has been requested, the process 1300proceeds to decision state 1318 wherein is determined if the correctedinformation is known. In some embodiments this determination can be madeby the wavefront generator 112 and/or a component of the wavefrontgenerator 112 including, for example, the processor. This determinationcan include the evaluation of data received in response to queriesprovided in block 1316.

If it is determined that the corrected information is known, the process1300 proceeds to block 1320 wherein the corrected information isreceived. In some embodiments, the corrected information can be receivedfrom a component of the wavefront generator 112 and/or by a componentthe wavefront generator 112 such as, for example, the input/outputinterface 132 and/or the communication engine 134.

Returning again to decision state 1318, if the corrected information isnot known, then the process 1300 proceeds to block 1322 wherein thecorrected information is generated. In some embodiments, for example,the corrected information can be generated by component of the wavefrontgenerator 112 including, for example, the processor 130. In someembodiments, for example, the corrected information can be generated bya component and/or system other than the wavefront generator 112 suchas, for example, a computer of a medical service provider, and can beprovided to the wavefront generator 112 via the communication engine134.

After the corrected information is received, the process 1300 proceedsto block 1324 wherein the custom wavefront is generated. As discussedabove, in some embodiments, the custom wavefront corresponds to opticalaberration information in that light having the custom wavefront andpassing through the eye with that optical aberration focuses on theretina of the eye to the same extent that light having a uniformwavefront is expected and/or desired to focus on the retina of the eyeafter the treatment procedure. The custom wavefront can be generated bya component of the wavefront generator 112 including, for example, theprocessor 130 and/or the projection engine 136. In some embodiments, thecustom wavefront can be retrieved from a component of the wavefrontgenerator 112 including the input/output interface 132, thecommunication engine 134, and/or the memory 140 including the profiledatabase 142 and/or the scanning database 144, and in some embodimentsthe custom wavefront can be received input into the input/outputinterface 132 by the user and/or the custom wavefront can be receivedfrom another source including, for example, a computer configured togenerate and/or store the custom wavefront via the communication engine134.

After the custom wavefront is generated, the process 1300 proceeds toblock 1326 wherein light having the custom wavefront is projected. Insome embodiments, for example, the projecting of light having the customwavefront comprises manipulating the wavefront of the light so that thewavefront of the light matches the generated custom wavefront. In someembodiments, this can be performed by the projection engine 136 and/or acomponent of the projection engine 136 such as the wavefront display. Insome embodiments, for example, this like can be projected onto theuser's eye, and can focus on the retina of the user's eye.

After the light having the custom wavefront is projected, the process1300 moves to decision state 1328 wherein it is determined if thetreatment procedure will be performed. In some embodiments, for example,the determination of whether the treatment procedure is to be performedcan include providing a prompt and/or query to the user as to whetherthey want to proceed with the treatment procedure. In some embodiments,for example, this prompt can include information relating to the riskand/or cost associate with the treatment procedure as well as referenceto the user experienced simulated outcome of the treatment procedure,and in some embodiments, information relating to the likelihood ofachieving that experience simulated outcome. In some embodiments, thedetermination of whether the treatment procedure will be performed canfurther include receiving an input indicating whether to proceed withthe treatment. In some embodiments, for example, this input can bereceived by the wavefront generator 112 come and specifically by, forexample, the input/output interface 132 and/or the communication engine134. If it is determined that the treatment procedure will not beperformed, then the process 1300 terminates. If it is determined indecision state 1328 that the treatment procedure will be performed, thenthe process 1300 proceeds to block 1330 wherein the treatment procedureis performed.

With reference now to FIG. 14, a flowchart illustrating one embodimentof a process 1400 for selective illumination of the retina is shown. Insome embodiments, for example, the function of portions of the retinacan decay. This decay in the function of portions the retina can becaused, for example, by damage and/or injury to the retina, by disease,or by age. In some embodiments, the deterioration in the functionportions of the retina can result in diminished vision ability includingin blind spots.

The process 1400 begins at block 1402 wherein healthy regions of theretina are identified. In some embodiments, for example, this caninclude mapping the retina to identify the location of healthy regionsof the retina, as well as unhealthy regions of the retina. This mappingcan be performed by the wavefront generator 112 and/or a component ofthe wavefront generator 112 such as, for example, the projection engine136 and/or the scanning engine 138.

After the healthy regions of the retina have been identified, theprocess 1400 proceeds to block 1404 wherein aberration information isreceived. In some embodiments, for example, the aberration informationcan be received by the wavefront generator 112 from the user, from thesource, and/or from the memory 140. In some embodiments, for example,the aberration information can be received by components of thewavefront generator including, for example, the processor 130, the inputoutput interface 132, and/or the communication engine 134.

After the aberration information has been received, the process 1400proceeds to block 1406 wherein the image is processed. In someembodiments, for example, the image can comprise any image data that canbe received by, for example, the wavefront generator 112 and/or acomponent of the wavefront generator. In some embodiments, for example,this image data can be generated by a camera associated with wavefrontgenerator 112, which camera can be included in the scanning engine 138.In some embodiments, for example, the image processing can include themapping of the image onto healthy portions of the retina so as to avoidprojecting portions of the image onto the unhealthy retina portions. Insome embodiments, this mapping of the image onto healthy portions of theretina can include distorting the image so as to allow the projection ofthe complete image onto the healthy portions of the retina.

After the image has been processed, the process 1400 proceeds to block1408 wherein the custom waveform is generated. In some embodiments inwhich the image processing a block 1406 results in adjustments to theimage data so as to allow the projection the complete image onto healthyportions of the retina, the generation of the custom wavefront cancomprise generation of a custom wavefront configured to project theentire processed image onto healthy portions of the retina. As discussedabove, in the context of FIGS. 10A and 10B, this can include identifyingthe matrix/retina relationship and determining which portions of thematrix to activate in order to project the processed image onto onlyhealthy portions of the retina.

In some embodiments, the custom wavefront corresponds to opticalaberration information in that light having the custom wavefront andpassing through the eye having that optical aberration focuses on theretina of the eye. In some embodiments, for example, the customwavefront can be generated by a component of the wavefront generator 112including, for example, the processor 130 and/or the projection engine136. In some embodiments, for example, the custom wavefront can beretrieved from a component of the wavefront generator 112 including theinput/output interface 132, the communication engine 134, and/or thememory 140 including the profile database 142 and/or the scanningdatabase 144. In some embodiments, for example, the custom wavefront canbe input into the input/output interface 132 by the user and/or thecustom wavefront can be received from another source including, forexample, a computer configured to generate and/or store the customwavefront via the communication engine 134.

After the custom waveform is generated, the process 1400 proceeds toblock 1410 wherein light having the custom wavefront is projected ontothe retina. In some embodiments, this can include projecting lightcorresponding to the processed image, and having the custom wavefrontonto healthy portions of the retina. In some embodiments, for example,the projecting of light having the custom wavefront comprisesmanipulating the wavefront of the light so that the wavefront of thelight matches the generated custom wavefront. In some embodiments, thiscan be performed by the projection engine 136 and/or a component of theprojection engine 136 such as the wavefront display.

With reference now to FIG. 14A, a flowchart illustrating a process 1450for mapping a retina is shown. In some embodiments, for example, thisprocess 1450 can be performed as a sub process within in block 1402 ofFIG. 14. This process 1450 can be performed by the wavefront generator112 and/or a component of the wavefront generator 112 including, forexample, the projection engine 136 and/or the scanning engine 138.Alternatively, this process 1450 can be performed by a component otherthan the wavefront generator 112, and information relating to the retinamapping can be provided to the wavefront generator 112 via, for example,the communication engine 134.

The process 1450 begins at block 1452 wherein a coherent beam of lightis directed onto a portion of the retina. In some embodiments, thecoherent beam of light can be configured so as not to temporarily and/orpermanently damage the retina, but rather to reflect a portion of thecoherent beam of light to allow the evaluation of the optical aberrationof the eye. In some embodiments, for example, the coherent beam of lightcan comprise a laser.

After the coherent beam of light is directed onto a portion of theretina, the process 1450 proceeds to block 1454 wherein an indication ofthe visibility of the coherent beam of light is received. In someembodiments, for example, this indication can be provided by the user,and can be received by the wavefront generator 112 including a componentof the wavefront generator 112 such as, for example, the input/outputinterface 132. In some embodiments, for example, this indication can bereceived by a person, system, and/or component other than the wavefrontgenerator 112, and can be provided to the wavefront generator 112 viathe communication engine 134.

After the indication of the visibility of the coherent beam of light hasbeen received, the process 1450 proceeds to block 1456 wherein thestatus of the retina portion is stored. In some embodiments, forexample, the status of the retina portion can be stored in, for example,the memory 140 of the wavefront generator 112 including, for example, inthe profile database 142 and/or in the scanning database 144 of thememory 140. In some embodiments, for example, this retina status caninclude a binary Indicator of the health of that portion of the retina,wherein a first value indicating the health status of the retina portioncan be assigned if the coherent beam of light is visible, and a secondvalue indicating the unhealthy status of the retina portion can beassigned if the coherent beam of light is not visible.

After the status of the retina portion has been stored, the process 1450proceeds to decision state 1458 wherein it is determined if the entireretina has been mapped. In some embodiments, for example, this caninclude determining whether there are portions of the retina that havenot been scanned. If it is determined that there are portions the retinathat have not been scanned, the process 1450 can return to block 1452wherein a coherent beam of light is directed at a portion of the retinathat has not been scanned. If it is determined that the entire retinahas been mapped and/or that there are no remaining un-scanned retinaportions, then the process 1450 can proceed to block 1460 and proceed toblock 1404 of FIG. 14.

With reference to FIG. 15, flowchart illustrating a detailed embodimentof a process 1500 for selective illumination of the retina is shown. Theprocess begins at block 1502 wherein the retina is mapped. In someembodiments, for example, the mapping of the retina can include theidentification of healthy portions of the retina as well as theidentification of unhealthy portions the retina. In some embodiments,for example, the mapping of the retina can be performed as outlined inFIG. 14A.

After the retina has been mapped, the process 1500 proceeds to block1506 wherein optical aberration information is requested. In someembodiments, for example, the request for aberration information can bemade by the processor 130 and/or other component of the wavefrontgenerator 112 and can include providing a query to the user via theinput/output interface 132 for known aberration information, providing aquery to the user via the input output interface 132 for sources thatpossess and/or may possess aberration information including, forexample, a medical service provider, querying and identified source foraberration information via the communication engine 134, and/or queryinga portion of the memory 140 including, for example, the profile database142 and/or the scanning database 144 for stored aberration information.

After the optical aberration information has been requested, the process1500 proceeds to decision state 1508 wherein is determined if theaberration information is known. In some embodiments this determinationcan be made by the wavefront generator 112 and/or a component of thewavefront generator 112 including, for example, the processor. Thisdetermination can include the evaluation of data received in response toqueries provided in block 1506.

If it is determined that aberration information is unknown, the process1500 proceeds to decision state 1510 wherein it is determined ifaberration information should be collected. In some embodiments, forexample, the determination of whether aberration information should becollected can include determining whether aberration information can becollected by either the wavefront generator 112 from another source, anddetermining whether the user wants to have the aberration informationcollected. The aberration information should not be collected, then theprocess 1500 terminates.

If the aberration information should be collected, then the process 1500proceeds to block 1512 wherein the user's eye is scanned. In someembodiments, for example, the user's eye can be scanned by the wavefrontgenerator 112, and specifically by components of the wavefront generatorsuch as, for example, the scanning engine 138. In some embodiments, forexample, the user's eye can be scanned by a source such as a medicalservice provider.

After the user's eye has been scanned, the process 1500 proceeds toblock 1514 wherein aberration information is collected. In someembodiments, for example, the collection of the aberration informationcan include the processing and/or analyzing of the data generated by thescan of the user's eye to convert the scanned data into aberrationinformation.

Returning again to decision state 1508, if it is determined thataberration information is known, the process 1500 proceeds to block 1516wherein the aberration information is received. In some embodiments, forexample, the aberration information can be received by the wavefrontgenerator 112 from the user, from the source, and/or from the memory140. In some embodiments, for example, the aberration information can bereceived by components of the wavefront generator including, forexample, the processor 130, the input output interface 132, and/or thecommunication engine 134.

After the aberration information has been received, or, returning toblock 1514 after the aberration information has been collected, theprocess 1500 proceeds to block 1518 wherein the image data is received.In some embodiments, for example, this can include receiving and/orgenerating image data with the communications engine 134. In someembodiments, for example, in which the wavefront generator 112 isassociated with a camera, this can include receiving image data from thecamera.

After the image data has been received, the process 1500 proceeds todecision state 1520 wherein it is determined if the image data should bemagnified. In some embodiments, for example, the wavefront generator 112can include features configured to allow the user to select amagnification level. If the user has selected an elevated magnificationlevel, or the wavefront generator 112 is set to provide an elevatedmagnification level, the process 1500 proceeds to block 1522 wherein theimage is magnified. In some embodiments, for example, in which a camerais collecting the image data, the image can be optically magnified, andin some embodiments, the image can be digitally magnified.

After the image has been magnified, and returning again to decisionstate 1520 if it is determined that elevated magnification is notrequested, then the process 1500 proceeds to block 1524 wherein theimage is processed. The image processing can include the mapping of theimage onto healthy portions of the retina so as to avoid projectingportions of the image onto the unhealthy retina portions. Specifically,in one embodiment, the image can be overlaid on a map of the retina,which overlay can be used to determine portions of the image that willbe affected by unhealthy retina portions. In some embodiments, theportions of the image overlaying unhealthy retina portions, as well asthe surrounding portions of the image overlaying healthy portions of theretina can be compressed so that no portion of the image is projectedonto the unhealthy portions of the retina, but rather is projected ontothe surrounding healthy portions of the retina. This image compressioncan result in distortions in the image projected around the unhealthyportions the retina. In some embodiments, the amount of imagecompression, and thereby also the amount of image distortion can beattenuated based on distance from the center of the unhealthy retinaportion. Advantageously, the user can adjust to such image distortionand thereby be able to view an entire image.

After the image has been processed, the process 1500 proceeds to block1526 wherein the custom wavefront is generated. In some embodiments inwhich the image processing a block 1524 results in adjustments to theimage data so as to allow the projection the complete image onto healthyportions of the retina, the generation of the custom wavefront cancomprise generation of a custom wavefront configured to project theentire processed image onto healthy portions of the retina. As discussedabove, in the context of FIGS. 10A and 10B, this can include identifyingthe matrix/retina relationship and determining which portions the matrixto activate in order to project the process image onto only healthyportions of the retina.

In some embodiments, the custom wavefront corresponds to opticalaberration information in that light having the custom wavefront andpassing through the eye having that optical aberration focuses on theretina of the eye. In some embodiments, for example, the customwavefront can be generated by a component of the wavefront generator 112including, for example, the processor 130 and/or the projection engine136. In some embodiments, for example, the custom wavefront can beretrieved from a component of the wavefront generator 112 including theinput/output interface 132, the communication engine 134, and/or thememory 140 including the profile database 142 and/or the scanningdatabase 144. In some embodiments, for example, the custom wavefront canbe received input into the input/output interface 132 by the user and/orthe custom wavefront can be received from another source including, forexample, a computer configured to generate and/or store the customwavefront via the communication engine 134.

After the custom waveform is generated, the process 1500 proceeds toblock 1528 wherein light having the custom wavefront is projected ontothe retina. In some embodiments, this can include projecting lightcorresponding to the processed image, and having the custom wavefrontonto healthy portions of the retina. In some embodiments, for example,the projecting of light having the custom wavefront comprisesmanipulating the wavefront of the light so that the wavefront of thelight matches the generated custom wavefront. In some embodiments, thiscan be performed by the projection engine 136.

In some embodiments, the wavefront generator 112 can be configured toidentify features on the retina so as to allow the proper placement,alignment, and/or orientation of the projected image onto the retina. Insome embodiments, for example, a feature of the scanning engine 138 suchas, for example, a camera and/or an infrared camera can be used toidentify reference features of the eye such as, for example, the pupilcenter and/or features of the retina, such as the location of veins thatcan be used as reference veins.

After light having the custom wavefront is projected onto the retina,the process 1500 proceeds to decision state 1532 wherein it isdetermined if additional image information is provided. In someembodiments, for example, the wavefront generator 112 may be configuredto provide multiple images, continuous images, and/or streaming imagesto the user. In such an embodiment, the wavefront data may receive imagedata in addition to that which has been projected. If additional imagedata is provided, then the process 1500 returns to block 1518. If noadditional image data it is provided, then the process terminates.

With reference now to FIG. 16, a schematic illustration 1600 and ofretinal condition and seen image resulting from the retinal condition isshown. FIG. 16 depicts a series of retina images 1602. These retinaimages 1602 represent the status of a retina and/or a portion of theretina, thus healthy retina image 1602-A represents the status of ahealthy retina and first unhealthy retina image 1602-B, second unhealthyretina image 1602-C and third unhealthy retina image 1602-D representthe status of an unhealthy retina.

Each of the retina images includes horizontal image lines 1604 andvertical image lines 1606. These lines represent an image projected ontothe retina.

The unhealthy retina images 1602-B, 1602-C, 1602-D further include anunhealthy retina portion 1608. The first unhealthy retina image 1602-Bincludes the first unhealthy retina portion 1608-A, the second unhealthyretina image 1602-C includes the second unhealthy retina portion 1608-B,and the third unhealthy retina image 1602-D includes the third unhealthyretina portion 1608-C. In some embodiments, for example, this unhealthyretina portion can correspond to a portion of the retina affected bymacular degeneration including, for example, age-related maculardegeneration.

FIG. 16 further depicts a series of seen images 1620. These seen images1620 show what a user having a corresponding retina condition perceivesas the image. Thus, the first seen image 1620-A corresponds to thehealthy retina image 1602-A, the second seen image 1620-B corresponds tothe first unhealthy retina image 1602-B, the third seen image 1620-Ccorresponds to the second unhealthy retina image 1602-C, and the fourthseen image 1620-D corresponds to the third unhealthy retina image1602-D. Like the retina images 1602, the seen images 1620 includehorizontal image lines 1604 and vertical image lines 1606, which linesrepresent the image projected onto the retina.

As depicted in the first and second seen images 1620-A, 1620-B, whilethe individual having the healthy retina perceives the entire image, asseen image 1620-A, the individual having the unhealthy retina portiondoes not see the affected image portion 1622-A.

In contrast to the second seen image 1620-B, the third and fourth seenimages 1620-C, 1620-D depict the image perceived by a user having anunhealthy retina portion when the user's retina is illuminated inaccordance with the steps described in FIGS. 14 through 15 above. Asseen in the second and third unhealthy retina images 1602-C, 1602-D, theimage as depicted by the horizontal and vertical image lines 1604, 1606is distorted so as to be projected around the unhealthy retina portion1608-B, 1608-C. Thus, no portion of the image is projected onto theunhealthy retina portion 1608-B, 1608-C. Due to the adaptive capabilityof the brain, this image distortion results in a perceived complete,albeit distorted image. Thus, in contrast to the second seen image1620-B having an affected image portion 1622-A in which the affectedimage portion is missing, third and fourth seen images 1620-C, 1620-Dhave affected image portion 1622-B, 1622-C in which the affected imageportion is merely distorted. Thus, by using the above outlinetechniques, the user perceives the complete, albeit distorted image.

A number of variations and modifications of the disclosed embodimentscan also be used. Specific details are given in the above description toprovide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it isunderstood that the embodiments may be practiced without these specificdetails. For example, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms,structures, and techniques may be shown without unnecessary detail inorder to avoid obscuring the embodiments.

Implementation of the techniques, blocks, steps and means describedabove may be done in various ways. For example, these techniques,blocks, steps and means may be implemented in hardware, software, or acombination thereof. For a hardware implementation, the processing unitsmay be implemented within one or more application specific integratedcircuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signalprocessing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), fieldprogrammable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers,micro-controllers, microprocessors, other electronic units designed toperforin the functions described above, and/or a combination thereof.

Also, it is noted that the embodiments may be described as a processwhich is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a swim diagram, a dataflow diagram, a structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although adepiction may describe the operations as a sequential process, many ofthe operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. Inaddition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged. A process isterminated when its operations are completed, but could have additionalsteps not included in the figure. A process may correspond to a method,a function, a procedure, a subroutine, a subprogram, etc. When a processcorresponds to a function, its termination corresponds to a return ofthe function to the calling function or the main function.

Furthermore, embodiments may be implemented by hardware, software,scripting languages, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardwaredescription languages, and/or any combination thereof. When implementedin software, firmware, middleware, scripting language, and/or microcode,the program code or code segments to perform the necessary tasks may bestored in a machine readable medium such as a storage medium. A codesegment or machine-executable instruction may represent a procedure, afunction, a subprogram, a program, a routine, a subroutine, a module, asoftware package, a script, a class, or any combination of instructions,data structures, and/or program statements. A code segment may becoupled to another code segment or a hardware circuit by passing and/orreceiving information, data, arguments, parameters, and/or memorycontents. Information, arguments, parameters, data, etc. may be passed,forwarded, or transmitted via any suitable means including memorysharing, message passing, token passing, network transmission, etc.

For a firmware and/or software implementation, the methodologies may beimplemented with modules (e.g., procedures, functions, and so on) thatperform the functions described herein. Any machine-readable mediumtangibly embodying instructions may be used in implementing themethodologies described herein. For example, software codes may bestored in a memory. Memory may be implemented within the processor orexternal to the processor. As used herein the tem “memory” refers to anytype of long term, short term, volatile, nonvolatile, or other storagemedium and is not to be limited to any particular type of memory ornumber of memories, or type of media upon which memory is stored.

Moreover, as disclosed herein, the term “storage medium” may representone or more memories for storing data, including read only memory (ROM),random access memory (RAM), magnetic RAM, core memory, magnetic diskstorage mediums, optical storage mediums, flash memory devices and/orother machine readable mediums for storing information. The term“machine-readable medium” includes, but is not limited to portable orfixed storage devices, optical storage devices, and/or various otherstorage mediums capable of storing that contain or carry instruction(s)and/or data.

While the principles of the disclosure have been described above inconnection with specific apparatuses and methods, it is to be clearlyunderstood that this description is made only by way of example and notas limitation on the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of projecting a desired image, themethod comprising: receiving data identifying an optical aberration in auser's eye; calculating a custom wavefront based on the data identifyingthe optical aberration in the user's eye; calculating a modified versionof the image using the desired image and the custom wavefront;displaying the modified image on a display device; and projecting themodified image from the display device, through a lenslet array, andtoward the eye, wherein the calculated modification of the imagecompensates for the custom wavefront so that the optical aberration ofthe user's eye alters the projected image from the modified image towardthe desired image.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprisingmeasuring the optical aberration in the user's eye.
 3. The method ofclaim 2, wherein the optical aberration in the user's eye is measuredwith a Shack-Hartmann analyzer.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein thecustom wavefront in combination with the optical aberration of theuser's eye causes the projection of the image to focus on the retina ofthe user's eye.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the projection of theimage focuses on the retina of the user's eye when the display device isa specified distance and angle from the user's eye.
 6. The method ofclaim 5 further comprising: measuring the distance between the user'seye and the display device; and adjusting the custom wavefront so thatthe specified distance between the user's eye and the display device isthe measured distance between the user's eye and the display device. 7.The method of claim 6 further comprising: measuring the angle betweenthe user's eye and the display device; and adjusting the customwavefront so that the specified angle between the user's eye and thedisplay device is the measured angle between the user's eye and thedisplay device.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising receivingimage data for projection.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the imagedata is generated by a user controlled camera.
 10. The method of claim9, wherein the image data comprises at least one of a landscape and atext string.
 11. A display system comprising: a manipulable displayconfigurable to produce a modified image; a lenslet array in aprojection path from the manipulable display so that the modified imageis projected by the lenslet array from the manipulable display toward alocation for viewing with the user's eye; and a processor configured: toreceive an indicator defining an optical aberration of the user's eye;and to control the manipulable display so that the modified image of themanipulable display is modified from a desired image per the opticalaberration of the user's eye so that the optical aberrations of theuser's eye alter the modified image toward the desired image.
 12. Thedisplay system of claim 11, wherein the modified image is modified fromthe desired image in response to characteristics of the lenslet array,wherein the desired image comprises a complex image so that a pluralityof lenslets of the array each project an associated two-dimensionalmodified image portion.
 13. The display system of claim 11, furthercomprising memory comprising an indicator corresponding to the opticalaberration of the user's eye and of the custom wavefront.
 14. Thedisplay system of claim 11, further comprising an input featureconfigured to receive the indicator defining the optical aberration ofthe user's eye and to provide the indicator defining the opticalaberration of the user's eye to the processor.
 15. The display system ofclaim 13, wherein the input feature comprises a user interface.
 16. Thedisplay system of claim 14, wherein the user interface comprises akeyboard.
 17. The display system of claim 14, wherein the user interfacecomprises a seamier.
 18. The display system of claim 16, wherein thescanner comprises a Shack-Hartmann analyzer.
 19. The display system ofclaim 13, wherein the input feature comprises a communication feature.20. The display system of claim 18, wherein the communication feature isconfigured to receive the indicator defining the optical aberration ofthe user's eye from a medical record.
 21. The display system of claim11, wherein the processor controls the manipulable display so that themanipulable display and lenslet array project the image having thecustom wavefront, wherein the custom wavefront corresponds to theoptical aberration of the user's eye when the manipulable display is aspecified distance from and at a specified angle relative to the user'seye.
 22. The display system of claim 20, further comprises a sensorconfigured to sense the distance between the manipulable display and theuser's eye, and wherein the processor is configured to receive thesensed distance and adjust the custom wavefront so that the senseddistance matches the specified distance.
 23. The display system of claim21, further comprises a sensor configured to sense the angle between themanipulable display and the user's eye, and wherein the processor isconfigured to receive the sensed angle and adjust the custom wavefrontso that the sensed angle matches the specified angle.
 24. A method ofsimulating benefits of a vision correction, the method comprising:generating optical aberration data for an eye of a patient; generating acustom wavefront solution, wherein the custom wavefront solutionrepresents a custom wavefront which in combination with the opticalaberration of the patient's eye causes light to focus on the retina ofthe patient's eye to the same extent as light is expected to focus onthe patient's retina after performing a corrective eye procedure;calculating a modified version of an image using the desired image andthe custom wavefront; displaying the modified image on a display device;projecting the modified image from the display device, through a lensletarray, and toward the eye, wherein the calculated modification of theimage compensates for the custom wavefront so that the opticalaberration of the user's eye alters the projected image from themodified image toward the desired image and thereby simulates correctedeyesight; and performing the corrective procedure on the patient's eye.25. The method of claim 24, wherein the light is projected onto thepatient's eye with a Shack-Hartmann projector.
 26. The method of claim24, wherein the custom wavefront corrects for at least one of: myopia,hyperopia, and astigmatism.
 27. A method of limiting the effects ofmacular degeneration, the method comprising: determining the location ofunhealthy regions of the retina of a patient's eye; determining thelocation of healthy regions of the retina of the patient's eye;generating optical aberration data for the patient's eye; generating acustom wavefront solution, wherein the custom wavefront solutionrepresents a custom wavefront which in combination with the opticalaberration of the patient's eye causes an image to focus on the retinaof the patient's eye; calculating a modified version of an image usingthe desired image and the custom wavefront solution; calculating adeformed version of the modified version of the image, wherein thedeformations correspond to the location of the healthy and unhealthyregions of the patient's eye such that the image is projectable ontoonly the healthy portions of the retina; and projecting the deformedversion of the image from a display device, through a lenslet array, andtoward the healthy portions of the retina.
 28. The method of claim 27,wherein the unhealthy portions of the retina of the patient's eyecomprise portions of the retina affected by macular degeneration. 29.The method of claim 28, wherein the macular degeneration is age relatedmacular degeneration.
 30. The method of claim 27, further comprisingdetermining the orientation of the patient's eye relative to the displaydevice.
 31. The method of claim 30, wherein determining the orientationof the patient's eye comprises scanning the patient's eye andidentifying a reference feature of the eye.
 32. The method of claim 30,further comprising orienting the projected deformed image relative tothe patient's eye so that the image is projected onto only the healthyregions of the retina.
 33. The method of claim 27, further comprisingreceiving an indicator of a magnification level.
 34. The method of claim33, further comprising magnifying the image according to the receivedindicator of a magnification level.